Stretchable Occluder Adapts to Opening Depth
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing occluders lack the ability to adapt to the depth and width of the opening in the circulatory system, leading to suboptimal occlusion and fixation against the body wall.
Innovation Solution
The occluder features a stretchable central region between two coupling parts that can extend along or counter to a restoration force, allowing independent adjustment of the distance between expansion units and closure bodies to match the depth and width of the opening, ensuring optimal occlusion and fixation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the occluder has a fixed rigid structure, then the manufacturing precision is improved, but the adaptability to different opening depths and wall thicknesses deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The occluder is divided into multiple segments: a first coupling part, a second coupling part, and an expandable intermediate section. This segmentation allows each part to have fixed precise dimensions while the intermediate section can adapt to different distances, resolving the contradiction between manufacturing precision and adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The intermediate section between the coupling parts is designed to be expandable or extendable, transforming from a compact state during insertion to an expanded state during occlusion. This dynamic property enables the occluder to adapt to different opening depths and wall thicknesses while maintaining precise positioning through the coupling parts.
2Device complexity
If the distance between expansion units is fixed, then the device complexity is reduced, but the adaptability to different body wall thicknesses deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The occluder structure is segmented into fixed coupling parts and an adaptable intermediate section. This segmentation maintains relative simplicity in the coupling parts while the intermediate section provides the necessary adaptability to different wall thicknesses without significantly increasing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The intermediate section can change its length or expansion parameter to adapt to different body wall thicknesses. This parameter change capability allows a single device design to accommodate variable anatomical dimensions without requiring multiple complex configurations.
3Ease of manufacture
If the expansion units are positioned at fixed distances, then the ease of manufacture is improved, but the occlusion effectiveness for varying opening depths deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The occluder is segmented into easily manufacturable fixed coupling parts and an intermediate section that can be manufactured with standard expandable structures. This segmentation maintains manufacturing ease while ensuring occlusion effectiveness through the adaptable intermediate section that reaches the appropriate depth.
Solution Approach 2:
The intermediate section's dynamic expandability allows it to be manufactured in a compact state for easy insertion and then expanded in situ to achieve the correct positioning and occlusion effectiveness, reconciling manufacturing ease with reliable performance.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This design enables the occluder to adapt seamlessly to the anatomical dimensions, ensuring effective occlusion and secure fixation against the body wall, enhancing the occlusion process.
Implementation Method 1
the region can also stretch counter to a restoration force, i.e. in a resilient or elastic fashion
Implementation Method 2
The occluder can be converted from a compact manifestation, extending along a longitudinal axis, into an expanded manifestation, extending across the longitudinal axis
Data Source
AI summary
An occluder for closing an opening in a circuit system can be transferred from a compact manifestation which extends along a longitudinal axis into an expanded manifestation. The occluder has a first expansion unit and a second expansion unit which bear on in each case one side of the opening in the expanded manifestation. Furthermore, the occluder has a first coupling part and a second coupling part which can be brought into engagement with one another, with the result that they fix the occluder in its expanded manifestation. The first coupling part has a region which extends between the first and second expansion units in the expanded manifestation. According to the invention, this region is configured such that it can expand along the longitudinal axis. It is preferably configured such that it can expand counter to a restoring force, that is to say resiliently or elastically. This occluder therefore permits automatic setting of the spacing between two expansion and/or closure units according to the structural conditions at the location of the opening to be closed.